Spindle structure



1. J. sNADr-:R 2,281,628

l SPINDLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Feb. 26, 1937 s "FW/f W//ygv l, nf/ l\I Nv NTO@ 3 28 3f w52 (27 ira (y smc/@ @A4-r.; Y C'TTomays Patented May5, 1942 UNITED] STATE SPINDLE STRUCTURE 1rav J. smeer, Detroit, Mich.,assignor to Ex- Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan Original application February 26,1937, serial No. f

127,967. Divided and this application Febru ary 8, 1939, Serial No.255,175 Y 13 Claims. (Cl. 77-3) 'I'he present invention relates toimprovements in spindle structures, and is a division of my copending.application Serial No. 127,967, flied February 26, 1937.

One-of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a.novel spindle structure having a body in vwhich a spindle is rotatablysupported in antifriction bearings, and which has an overall width justsufficient to enclose said bearings, so as to permit close lateralspacing of the axes of a plurality of the spindles mounted in parallelrelation-for simultaneous operation.

Another object is to provide a new and improved spindle structure havinga minimum lateral dimension and, at the same time, having 115substantial mass so as to provide strength' and rigidity. s

`A more specific object is to provide a novel spindle structure having atransversely rectangu- Q lar spindle supporting body with substantiallylsquare edges, and with la.` longitudinal tubular extension, on one endof and disposed eccentrically to the center line of the body, throughwhich the operative end of the spindle projects.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved mounting for aplurality of spindle structures of the foregoing character permittingconvenient and accurate relative lateral adjustment of the spindle axes.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is an end view of a plurality ofspindle structures and the mounting therefor embodying the features ofmy invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale,taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on a reduced scale taken alongline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale of one of thespindle structures taken along line -Il of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFig. 2.

In various modern machine tools, a plurality of spindle structures, eachprovided with a rotary spindle, are mounted in parallel relation on acommon support for simultaneous operation, for example, to bore all thealigned cylinders of an automotive engine block in one cutting stroke.Regardless of the nature of the machining operation to be performed,difficulty is often experienced in mounting the spindle structures withlsuiciently small center distances between the axes to permit operationon contiguousy work surfaces. In the case of automotive engine blocks,diculty arises when the spacing of the cylinders is less than theminimum obtainable spacing of the spindle axes. It has therefore beenthe practice heretofore in Vsuch instances to bore` alternate cylindersin one operation, and than to index or reload the Work and bore theremaining cylinders.

One of the features of the present invention resides in the provision ofa-spindle structure and amounting therefor permitting convenient lateraladjustment of the spacing of the axes of a plurality of spindlestructures, and affording a minimum spacing less than the cylinderspacing of most' all standard automotive engine blocks. While theinvention is especially applicable to tool spindle structures adaptedfor cylinder boring, it is to be clearly understood that in its broadaspects, the invention is not limited to a spindle structure for anyparticular purpose.

Referring more particularly to the drawing. the spindle structure,constituting the exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises anelongated` solid bracket, body or bearing housing 5 which may be mountedon a suitable support, and is herein disclosed as secured directly to aflat mounting pad 6 on a base bracket 1. The body 5 is rectangular incross section, with flat sides and top and bottom surfaces definingsquare corners. and is formed on one end with a longitudinal tubularextension or sleeve 8 having an axial bore 9. Opening from the bore 9 tothe other end of the body 5, and providing an outwardly facing annularshoulder I0 at its inner end is a larger coaxial bore I I.

A rotary spindle I2 extends axially through the bores 9 and II, and issupported therein by a purality of spaced antifriction bearings I3, I4and I5. These bearings preferably are of the roller type with inner andouter annular raceways and two series of interposed balls to completethe bearing relationship.

The bearing AI3 supports the operative end of the spindle I2, and thebearings I4 and I5 are located in opposite ends of the bore I I tosupport the spindle within the main body 5. In each instance, the innerraceway is fixed on the spindle I2 for rotation therewith, and the outerraceway is clamped in position against rotation. More particularly, theouter raceway of the bearing I3 is tightly fitted into a counterbore I6in the free end of the sleeve 8, and is clamped in position against ashoulder I1 at the inner end of the counterbore by a seal ring orannular nut I8. This nut is removably threaded into the outer end of thesleeve 8. and extends across the space between the raceways. The spindleI2 is diametrically enlarged between the bearings I3 and Il, and theinner raceway of the bearing I3 is clamped in position against ashoulder Il at the outer end of the spindle enlargement by a cylindricaltool head 2l threaded axially onto a reduced spindle extension 2l. Thetool head 2l is formed on its inner end with a coaxial central annularflange 22 extending with a close running fit into the nut Il, an outerconcentric annular flange 2l intertting with an external peripheralnotch 24 in the outer end of the sleeve I. and a short concentricintermediate annular flange 2l running in a complementary groove 28 inthe nut. Consequently, the nut It and the tool head 2l, althoughrelatively rotatable, prevent the entry of foreign matter into theinterior of the spindle body i and the spindle bearings.

Referring now to the bearings Il and I5, the outer raceways and anintermediate spacer sleeve 21 are fitted into the bore Il. A nut 2lremovably threaded into the outer end of the bore Il against the outerraceway of the bearing i serves to clamp the assembly against theshoulder il. A suitable oil seal ring 2U, in wiping engagement with thespindle l2, is confined in position against the nut 22 by a notched locknut lll.

To permit close spacing of the spindle axes of a plurality of thespindle structures, the body l is made relatively narrow, and preferablyjust wide enough to accommodate the widest bearings Il and Il. Bolts llare provided for clamping opposite sides of the body I to the pad 6, andare arranged in three sets spaced axially from the bearings Il to I5 soas not to require extra side wall thickness. The bolts of each set arestaggered to avoid undue weakening of the side walls, and the bolts ofthe two rear sets extend through recesses 22 in opposite sides of thespacer sleeve 21. To oiset any loss in strength and rigidity at the sidewalls by reason of the narrow width of the body 5, the top and bottomwalls, particularly the latter, are increased in vertical thickness andformed with square corners, thereby providing substantial mass with aneconomy in lateral space. Consequently, the tubular extension l isdisposed eccentrically or in vertically oitset relation to thelongitudinal center line of the body 5.

The clamp bolts 3l extend through the body I, and are threaded intosuitable nuts 33 siidable in a plurality of parallel transverse T-slotsM in the toplof the mounting pad 6. By reason of the close spacing ofthe bolts 2| of each set longitudinally of the body 5, both bolts arethreaded into a single nut 2l.

'I'he spindle I2 may be driven by any desired means, and in the presentinstance is connected at the rear projecting end by a multiple beltdrive I5 to an individual electric motor 3B. This motor may be mountedon the top of an inverted U- shaped bridge 31 extending over the spindlestructure and having spaced side walls 38 removably bolted to the top ofthe mounting pad I. The top wall of the bridge 31 is sumciently spacedfrom the spindle structure to permit convenient insertion therebetweenof a hand wrench (not shown) for tightening and loosening the clampbolts 3|. a

Any desired number of spindle structures with any desired number andcharacter of cutting tools may be provided depending on the requirementsof the work. For boring automotive engine blocks, one spindle structurefor each of the aligned engine cylinders is provided. and each spindlel2 has a radially projectinglsingle point ily tool l! adjustably securedin the tool head 20. The spindle structures are mounted on a basebracket 1 and beneath a bridge 21 of ample dimensions, and spaced inaccordance with the center distances of the successive cylinders. The

bridge Il is provided with side extensions 4l to aflord an adequatemounting surface for the spindle motors 26.

The various spindle brackets l may be disposed in flat side engagementon the mounting pad i for minimum spacing. To provide a larger spacingor an uneven spacing as required for different engine blocks, suitablefiat rectangular spacer blocks 4I of proper thicknesses may beinterchangeably interposed between the various spindle brackets I. Forspacing less than that shown'. the pulleys on the spindles I2 may bestaggered to avoid interference. In assembly, the brackets l and blocks4l are positionedunderneath the bridge 81 in desired spaced relation,and are held together against one side wall ll of the bridge by screws42 threaded through the other side wall 2l while the clamp bolts ll arebeing tightened. To provide for simultaneously longitudinalreciprocation of the spindles I2, the base bracket 'I may be secured toa carriage 4I siidable on a machine tool base Il.

I claim as my invention:

1. A unitary demountable spindle structure comprising, in combination, atransversely narrow rectangular spindle body having relatively thin sidewalls with fiat parallel external side surfaces and relatively thick topand bottom walls, and having an integral tubular extension on one end,antifriction bearings in said body and said extension, and a spindlemounted in said bearings and projecting from said extension.

`2. A spindle structure comprising, in combination, an elongatedtransversely rectangular spindie body having flat parallel side surfacesand flat parallel top and bottom surfaces and having a longitudinal boreopening to one end, said body being slightly wider than said bore toprovide a narrow lateral dimension and a substantially greater depththan width to provide strength and rigidity, a tubular sleeve projectingfrom the other end oi' said body in axial alignment with said bore andeccentrically of the longitudinal center line of said body, anantifriction roller bearing mounted in the outer end of said sleeve,

two antifriction roller bearings separated by a spacer sleeve andremovably secured in assembled relation in said bore, and a rotaryspindle mounted in said bearings and having an operative end projectingfrom said first mentioned sleeve for the attachment of a cutting tool,said spindle being diametrically enlarged within said tubular sleeve.

3. A spindle structure comprising, in combination, an elongatedtransversely rectangular spindle body having flat parallel side surfacesand having a longitudinal bore opening to one end, said body beingslightly wider than said bore to provide a narrow lateral dimension anda substantially greater depth than width to provide strength andrigidity, a tubular sleeve integral with and projecting from the otherend of said body in axial alignment with said bore and eccentrically ofthe longitudinal center line of said body, spaced antifriction rollerbearings mounted inthe outer end of said sleeve and in said bore, and arotary spindle mounted in said bearings and having an operative endprojecting from said sleeve for the attachment of a cutting tool.

' 4. A spindle structure comprising, in combinasaid body being greaterin height than in width, a

tubular sleeve integral with and projecting from the other end of saidbody in axial alignment with said bore, spaced antifriction bearingsmounted in said bore, a spacer sleeve in said bore between saidbearings, a rotary spindle mounted in said bearings and having anoperative end projecting through said first mentioned sleeve, and aplurality of clamp bolts spaced from said bearings axially of saidspindle, and extending through said body and through recesses in thesides of said spacer sleeve.

5. A spindle structure comprising, in combination, an elongatediiat-sided transversely rectangular spindle body relatively narrow inone lateral dimension and relatively deep in the other lateraldimension, a longitudinal bore in said body slightly less in diameterthan the width of said body so as to have relatively thin side Walls andrelatively thick top and bottom walls, antifriction bearings mounted insaid bore, a spindle journaled in said bearings and projecting from saidbore, and sets of clamping bolts spaced from said bearings axially ofsaid spindle and extending through said body between the at sidesthereof.

6. In a machine tool, in combination, a support, an integral invertedU-shaped bridge on said support, a plurality of parallel nat-sidedspindle brackets mounted on said support beneath said bridge, rotaryspindles journaled in said brackets, at sided spacers removablyinterposed between said brackets, means for clamping said brackets andspacers together against one side wall of said bridge, means forclamping said spindle brackets to said support, and electric motors onsaid bridge and having drive connections with said spindles.

7. In a machine tool, in combination, a support having a plurality oftransversely extending T-slots in the top thereof, a plurality ofparallel nat-sided spindle structures with longitudinally projectingrotary spindles mounted for individual lateral adjustment on saidsupport, clamping means adjustable along said T-slots and coactingtherewith to secure said structures in position of adjustment, anintegral inverted U-shaped bridge mounted on said support and extendingin spaced relation over the major portion of said spindle structures,and a plurality of individual electric motors mounted on said bridge,and having drive connections respectively with said spindles.

8. A spindle structure comprising, in combination, a narrow elongatedtransversely rectangular spindle body having flat parallel side surfacesand having a longitudinal bore opening to one end, said body beinggreater in height than in width, a tubular sleeve integral with andprojecting from the other end of said body in axial alinement with saidbore and vertically offset in relation to the longitudinal center lineof said body, spaced antifriction bearings mounted in opposite ends ofsaid bore, a spacer sleeve snugly tted in said bore between saidbearings, a rotary spindle mounted in said bearings and extendingthrough said body and said tubular sleeve, the spindle beingdiametrically enlarged within said of bolts extending vertically throughsaid body tubular sleeve, an antifriction bearing for said spindlemounted in the outer end of said tubular sleeve, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced sets of bolts extending vertically through saidbody vfor securing said body in position, the bolts offj each-set beinglocated at opposite sides of saidy spindle in staggered relationlongitudinally of said spindle and extending through recesses in thesides of said spacer sleeve, and another set adjacent said tubularsleeve.

9. A spindle structure comprising, in combination, a narrow elongatedtransversely rectangular spindle body having at parallel side surfacesand having a longitudinal bore opening to one end, said body beinggreater in height than in width, spaced antifriction bearings mounted inopposite ends of said bore, a spacer sleeve snugly tted in said borebetween said bearings, a rotary spindle mounted in said bearings andextending through said body and said spacer sleeve, and a plurality oflongitudinally spaced sets of bolts extending vertically through saidbody for securing said body in position, the bolts of each set beinglocated at opposite sides of said spindle in staggered relationlongitudinally of said spindle and extending through recesses in thesides of said spacer sleeve.

10. In a machine tool, in combination, a support having a plurality oftransversely extending T-slots in the top thereof, an inverted integralU-shaped bridge having parallel sides secured to said support, aplurality of parallel flat-sided spindle structures with longitudinallyprojecting rotary spindles mounted on said support within said bridgefor individual lateral adjustment along said slots, a plurality ofspacers interposed between the sides of said spindle structures and thesides of said bridge for locating said spindle structures inpredetermined spaced relation, clamping means extending adjustablythrough one side of said bridge for clamping the assembly of saidspindle structures and spacers against the other side of said bridge,and a plurality of clamping bolts extending through said spindlestructures and coacting with nuts within said slots for securing saidspindle structures rigidly to said support, the top of said bridge beingspaced from said spindle structures to aiord access to said bolts.

11. A unitary demountable spindle structure comprising, in combination,a transversely narrow spindle body having relatively thin side wallswith flat parallel external side surfaces and relatively thick top andbottom walls with the bottom wall having a flat external mountingsurface, longitudinally spaced antifriction bearings in said body, and aspindle mounted in said bearings and projecting from one end of saidbody, said body being formed with holes adapted to receive clampingbolts and opening vertically therethrough wholly between said flatparallel side surfaces.

12. A unitary demountable spindle structure comprising, in combination.a transversely narrow spindle body having relatively thin side wallswith at parallel external side surfaces and relatively thick top andbottom walls with the bottom wall having a at external mounting surface,longitudinally spaced antifriction bearings in said body, and a spindlemounted in said bearings and projecting from one end of said body andhaving portions of relatively large and small diameters along itslength, said body being formed between said bearings in the region ofthe relatively small portion of said spindle and said bracket along oneside margin thereof, means for clamping said spindle structures inparallel predetermined spaced assembled relation laterally in positionagainst said wall, and clamping bolts extending vertically through saidspindle structures between the ilat sides'thereof and coacting with nutswithin said slots for securing said spindle structures individually andrigidly to said bracket..

IRA J.' SNADER.

